Diwali celebration actually starts on the day of Dhanteras. In 2011 Diwali will be celebrated from 24th October to 28th October. Read on to know more about the customs and traditions followed during the festival of Diwali throughout India and Diwali Dates for the year 2011.In India every festival is associated with a story and there is always a reason behind celebrating that particular festival. Diwali is one of the most important and awaited festivals of Hindus all over the world. It is popularly known as ‘festival of lights’ and people celebrate it with enthusiasm and vigor. Diwali or Deepavali is a celebration of life and is full of enjoyment and goodness. In most part of India the celebration is of five days and starts from ‘Dhanteras’ and ends with ‘Bhai dooj’. The main festive day is Diwali which falls in the middle and is celebrated with pomp and show. The most remarkable thing is that people of all religions take equal participation and a feeling of brotherhood is experienced throughout the country. In this articleDiwali Dates 2011Significance of DhanterasSignificance of ‘Chhoti Diwali’ the second Day Third and Fourth Day of Diwali FestivalSignificance of Bhai DoojAmavasya (No Moon Day Night)Decorating House with LightsSignificance of Lighting DiyasWorshipping Various Gods and GoddessesDiwali Dates 2011 DatesOccasions24th October 2011Dhanteras26th October 2011Diwali, Laxmipujan, Narak Chatrudashi 27th October 2011Balipartipada, Deepavali Padwa 28th October 2011Bhai Dooj (Bhau Beej)Significance and Celebration of Diwali Have a quick look at the significance and celebration on Diwali festival in India. Significance of Dhanteras The first day of the festival is called ‘Dhan Trayodashi’ or Dhanteras. People buy gold, silver or anything made of metal on this auspicious day. It is believed that gold and silver bought on this day brings in more wealth and prosperity. Significance of ‘Chhoti Diwali’ the second Day The second day is called ‘Chhoti Diwali’. In some areas of India, people light Diyas in the evening while in some areas they put an old diya behind the house at night. Third and Fourth Day of Diwali Festival The third day is the main festival when people visit each other’s house and give gifts to each other. Sweets and special items are served to the guests and there is a pooja in the evening. There is fireworks seen everywhere and children have their best part of the year having fun and enjoyment around. The fourth day has not much to do and people light their houses and put Diyas on their doorsteps. Significance of Bhai Dooj The fifth day is called ‘Bhai Dooj’ which is a festival of brothers and sisters. Different types of greetings and rituals are carried out at different parts of India. Brothers give gifts to their sisters and vow for their security and protection throughout life and sisters honour their brothers in return. Amavasya (No Moon Day Night) Diwali is celebrated on Amavasya, the day when there is darkness all around because the moon does not rise that day. Here light is a symbol of victory over evil by good and signifies life, hope and positive energy. Decorating House with Lights Previously people used to decorate their houses with lamps and candles. But today series of electric lights and bulbs are seen in most houses and the entire decoration are done with that. Significance of Lighting Diyas Even though the exterior of the house is decorated with electric bulbs and lights, women place Diyas in front of deities and also put Diya at the doors. They believe that Goddess Laxmi, goddess of wealth and prosperity, enters the house that is lit with Diyas. Worshipping Various Gods and Goddesses People worship Lord Ganesha, Goddess Kali, Goddess Laxmi and in some places worship of Govardhan Parvat and Lord Chitragupta are also carried on. Diwali is a wonderful occasion that helps people unite and express their joy and happiness. It is a festival of giving and sharing gifts and fun. The market is filled with different types of Diwali gift options and depending on the relationship, people make the choice. Farmers thank Goddess Laxmi for the year of yield that has just ended and pray for blessings for the next year. Nowadays, people are trying to celebrate Diwali in an environmental friendly way by saying ‘no’ to fireworks and trying to consume as less electrical energy as possible.
Diwali celebration actually starts on the day of Dhanteras. In 2011 Diwali will be celebrated from 24th October to 28th October. Read on to know more about the customs and traditions followed during the festival of Diwali throughout India and Diwali Dates for the year 2011.In India every festival is associated with a story and there is always a reason behind celebrating that particular festival. Diwali is one of the most important and awaited festivals of Hindus all over the world. It is popularly known as ‘festival of lights’ and people celebrate it with enthusiasm and vigor.
Diwali or Deepavali is a celebration of life and is full of enjoyment and goodness. In most part of India the celebration is of five days and starts from ‘Dhanteras’ and ends with ‘Bhai dooj’. The main festive day is Diwali which falls in the middle and is celebrated with pomp and show. The most remarkable thing is that people of all religions take equal participation and a feeling of brotherhood is experienced throughout the country.
Diwali Dates 2011
| Dates | Occasions |
| 24th October 2011 | Dhanteras |
| 26th October 2011 | Diwali, Laxmipujan, Narak Chatrudashi |
| 27th October 2011 | Balipartipada, Deepavali Padwa |
| 28th October 2011 | Bhai Dooj (Bhau Beej) |
Significance and Celebration of Diwali
Have a quick look at the significance and celebration on Diwali festival in India.
Significance of Dhanteras
The first day of the festival is called ‘Dhan Trayodashi’ or Dhanteras. People buy gold, silver or anything made of metal on this auspicious day. It is believed that gold and silver bought on this day brings in more wealth and prosperity.
Significance of ‘Chhoti Diwali’ the second Day
The second day is called ‘Chhoti Diwali’. In some areas of India, people light Diyas in the evening while in some areas they put an old diya behind the house at night.
Third and Fourth Day of Diwali Festival
The third day is the main festival when people visit each other’s house and give gifts to each other. Sweets and special items are served to the guests and there is a pooja in the evening. There is fireworks seen everywhere and children have their best part of the year having fun and enjoyment around. The fourth day has not much to do and people light their houses and put Diyas on their doorsteps.
Significance of Bhai Dooj
The fifth day is called ‘Bhai Dooj’ which is a festival of brothers and sisters. Different types of greetings and rituals are carried out at different parts of India. Brothers give gifts to their sisters and vow for their security and protection throughout life and sisters honour their brothers in return.
Amavasya (No Moon Day Night)
Diwali is celebrated on Amavasya, the day when there is darkness all around because the moon does not rise that day. Here light is a symbol of victory over evil by good and signifies life, hope and positive energy.
Decorating House with Lights
Previously people used to decorate their houses with lamps and candles. But today series of electric lights and bulbs are seen in most houses and the entire decoration are done with that.
Significance of Lighting Diyas
Even though the exterior of the house is decorated with electric bulbs and lights, women place Diyas in front of deities and also put Diya at the doors. They believe that Goddess Laxmi, goddess of wealth and prosperity, enters the house that is lit with Diyas.
Worshipping Various Gods and Goddesses
People worship Lord Ganesha, Goddess Kali, Goddess Laxmi and in some places worship of Govardhan Parvat and Lord Chitragupta are also carried on.
Diwali is a wonderful occasion that helps people unite and express their joy and happiness. It is a festival of giving and sharing gifts and fun. The market is filled with different types of Diwali gift options and depending on the relationship, people make the choice.
Farmers thank Goddess Laxmi for the year of yield that has just ended and pray for blessings for the next year. Nowadays, people are trying to celebrate Diwali in an environmental friendly way by saying ‘no’ to fireworks and trying to consume as less electrical energy as possible.
